Tail-Specific Aircraft Performance Modeling for Accurate Cost Index
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft operators face challenges in achieving a balance between time-related and fuel-related costs due to variations in individual aircraft performance from nominal models, leading to inefficiencies in flight management.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for tail-specific parameter computation, using an on-board computing device with a processor, memory, and network interface to generate a recommended cost index and cruise altitude based on historical flight data and a nominal aircraft performance model, tailored to the specific aircraft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a nominal aircraft performance model is used for flight management, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but the effective cost index differs from the target cost index due to individual aircraft variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a tail-specific performance model for each individual aircraft by collecting and analyzing its unique historical flight data. This customizes the performance characteristics to match the specific aircraft's actual behavior, resolving the contradiction between using a simple nominal model and achieving accurate cost index predictions for that particular aircraft.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary data collection and analysis during historical flights to build the tail-specific performance model before actual flight management operations. This pre-computation of aircraft-specific parameters enables accurate real-time cost index determination without adding complexity to the flight management process itself.
2Measurement precision
If individual aircraft performance variations are accounted for, then cost index accuracy improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically collects flight data from the aircraft's own operational history and autonomously generates the tail-specific performance model without requiring external intervention. This self-service approach to model creation reduces the operational burden and complexity while maintaining high accuracy in cost index determination.
Solution Approach 2:
The performance model is built in advance during ground operations using historical flight data, separating the complex model creation process from the flight management operations. This preliminary action allows the flight management system to use the pre-computed model without adding real-time computational complexity during actual flights.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for tail-specific parameter computation includes a memory, a network interface, and a processor. The memory is configured to store a tail-specific aircraft performance model for a first aircraft of an aircraft type. The tail-specific aircraft performance model is based on historical flight data of the first aircraft and a nominal aircraft performance model associated with a second aircraft of the aircraft type. The network interface is configured to receive flight data from a databus of the first aircraft. The processor is configured to generate, based at least in part on the flight data and the tail-specific aircraft performance model, a recommended cost index and a recommended cruise altitude. The processor is also configured to provide the recommended cost index and the recommended cruise altitude to a display device.